Multipoint moistener for gummed labels and the like



y 28, 1957 w. P. SMULL 2,793,610

MULTIPOINT MOISTENER FOR GUMMED LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 18, 1955 l N V EN TOR. W/L L MM PEA/M SMULL.

H/fi A Tram/way United States Patent MULTIPOINT MOISTENER FOR GUMMED LABELS AND THE LIKE This invention relates generally to moisteners and more particularly to a multipoint moistener.

The present moisteners comprise a container having a piece of absorbent material such as a sponge or a horizontally journaled drum partially immersed in liquid carried by the container to convey the same. Both of these structures are open to the air and both are subject to dirt from the air and dirt from the objects which are moistened. When used the moistener conveys the dirt from the sponge or the drum to the article being moistened. Again both the sponge and the drum deliver too much moisture to the article being moistened, there being no limit to the amount of moisture delivered.

After these moisteners have been used, an excess of liquid remains on the drum or sponge which is exposed to the air, allowing fast evaporation of the liquid. 'After use the liquid does not always drain back into the container but spills out because of the close fit of the sponge in the container. This leaves an excessive amount of liquid on top of the sponge, thus speeding up evaporation.

The multipoint moistener comprising this invention overcomes these disadvantages by eliminating direct con tact between the sponge and the moistening applicator, disallowing the transference of dirt from the applicator to the sponge. The moistener contains a pocketed support member which carries applicator balls that are self cleaning, removing dirt caught from the articles previously moistened.

Again, the sponge forming a part of this moistener is completely enclosed, and is not exposed to dirt, air or other objects, and therefore remains clean at all times and does not become dirty nor the water putrid.

The support member is provided wtih pockets to receive the applicator balls. These pockets allow only a limited amount of liquid to be applied to the applicator balls during use. The liquid in these support pockets acts as a lubricant for the balls as well as the cleaning agent.

Liquid is lifted to the support member pockets by depressing the retainer, the balls on the support member and the sponge causing an upward displacement. Holes are provided in the support member to admit and drain the liquid around the pockets, enabling the applicator balls to dry quickly after wetting.

The holes in the support member connect the zone of the pockets with the sponge compartment in the container. The sponge may be provided with a central passage which functions as a liquid container and dispenser. The liquid is quickly displaced through the central passage in the sponge when the sponge is depressed. This floods the applicator balls through the holes in the support member.

The exterior of the sponge may be restricted from engaging the walls of the container to aid in the quick return of the liquid from the applicator zone in the support member to the sponge chamber. The liquid is forced through these holes in the support member to flood the applicator zone and it may drain back through these holes or over the side of the support member. The sponge of this 2,793,610 Patented May 28, 1957 moistener is completely enclosed and is: not exposed to the air. Evaporationis therefore retarded and the moisener is ready for use without frequent refillings.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a plurality of applicator. balls which moisten thearticle with several fine and spaced wetted streaks, without. over wetting. Because of the spacing of the balls from: the retainer any liquid thrown from them by centrifugal. force would be caught by the retainer.

Other objects and advantages of this invention appearv hereafter in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show for the purpose. of

exemplification without limiting the invention or claims thereto certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this-invention wherein Fig. 1 is a view in vertical section of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the top plan of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of the side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view of the top plan of the applicator support.

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical section of a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical section of a further modified form of this invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the multipoint moistener comprises the container 1 with circular walls 2 and bottom 3. Inside said container is a sponge 4 having a passage 5. A restriction member 6 having a large and several small holes 7 in the top thereof is placed over the top of the sponge, restricting it as to its diameter. Resting on top of the restriction member 6 is the support member 8 having the center portion 9 hollowed out to form the applicator dish or zone. This center portion has nine symmetrically spaced pockets 11 and four spaced moisture holes 12 passing downwardly therethrough. Each pocket 11 supports an applicator ball 13.

A retainer 14 has nine holes 15 smaller than and matching the nine applicator balls 13 by which it is supported. The diameters of the supporting member 8 and the restriction member 6 are sufficiently smaller than the circular walls 2 of the container 1 to form a drainage space above the sponge 4. Placed on top of the retainer 14 is the lid 16 having an outside lip 17 which extends down the outside walls 2 of the container 1 to seal with the container 1. The lid 16 also has a central opening 18 which exposes the nine balls 13 extending through the retainer 14. The sponge 4 is not only a reservoir for the liquid but acts as a compressed spring keeping the lid, the retainer and the support member sealed against the adjacent member.

Fig. 5 shows the same container, but the support member 20 assumes the function of the restriction member in restraining the sponge 4. The passage 21 in the sponge 2 has a diameter larger than the distance between the moisture holes 12. The other elements of the figure are identical to that shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 has the same container 1 as shown in Fig. 1, however the sponge 4 in this structure has two or more small diameter passages 22 placed beneath the moisture holes 12 to provide direct displacement of the liquid in the sponge 4 through the moisture holes 12 to the applicator zone. The support member 24 in Fig. 6 is flat and has upwardly extending legs. 25 to support the retainer thereabove. In this structure the sponge 4 is smaller in diameter than the interior of the container 1 and the diameters of the support member 24 and the retainer 14 permit them to be moved up and down within the container. However the lid 16 of the container 1 seals through the top of the retainer 14 to completely enclose the sponge 4. in addition, the parts of this moistener, with the exception of the sponge 4, can be made of plastic or any non-rusting material. Glass may also be used for all of these parts except the sponge.

In the structure of Figs. 5 and 6 the retainer 14 rests on the outer edge 10 of the support members 20 and 24, respectively, and may be held out of contact with the balls 13.

I claim:

1. A multipoint moistener comprising a container with bottom and side Walls, a'sponge member in said container, a support member resting on said sponge having vertically spaced holes and a plurality of upwardly open pockets, spaced from each other and from said holes an applicator ball in each pocket, a retainer carried by said support member above said pockets and having an opening opposite each pocket to permit the ball to extend therethrough, and a' lid on said container closing against said retainer and having an opening that circumvents said balls to expose same.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the holes in said retainer are smaller than the great diameter of said balls.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that said sponge member has a vertical passage.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that said sponge has a plurality of vertically spaced passages.

5. The structure of claim 1 which also includes means for surrounding the upper portion of the sponge member to restrict the same.

6. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the sides of the support member extend downwardly around the sponge thereby also acting as a restriction member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 805,469 Keep Nov. 28, 1905 1,089,683 Stapler Mar. 10, 1914 2,103,261 Hughes Dec. 28, 1937 2,192,479 Nissen, Jr Mar. 5, 1940 FOREIGN. PATENTS 460,857 Italy Dec. 21, 1950 

